Samoa Looking Accurate

by TheGreyGhost Wed 14 Sep 2011, 1:54 pm

First topic message reminder :

So with Fotuali'i and Pisi in the pivot, Samoa are looking very accurate.

Both the tactical and goal kicking this morning was first rate (certainly put the woeful performance of a certain Jonny Wilkinson to shame).

In the past the Samoans have been ferocious defenders with power and pace in the backs, but struggled for organised systems, patience and accuracy.

Granted Namibia are arguably the worst side in the tournament and offered little in the way of resistance but Samoa looked tremendously composed in dishing out a hiding this morning. The side look good for their hit out, in what was little more than a training run.

With their world cup well underway, a recent victory over Tri-nations champions Australia under their belt, plenty of S15 and northern hemisphere club rugby experience to call on and game breakers all over the park, Samoa are currently punching well above their IRB ranking.

How're you Welsh fullas feeling? Sitting comfortably?

by Cymroglan Wed 14 Sep 2011, 7:37 pm

GG if the weather holds then it should be a cracker.

by hawalsh Wed 14 Sep 2011, 7:39 pm

Knowsit17 wrote:Not to mention the considerable loss of pace and power from the Samoans in the final quarter, allowing Namibia to notch up two scores.

With a big match in 4 days and being 40 points ahead with the bonus point secured, there isn't a team about that wouldn't ease off in a similar situation. They haven't behaved in a similar manner against superior opposition in tighter matches.

I expect Wales to win, but the beliefs that Samoa rely purely on agressive physicality and are far behind the top nations in fitness levels are outdated and don't do the team any justice. Expect a hard battle for the full 80.

by welshy824 Wed 14 Sep 2011, 10:41 pm

hawalsh wrote:To say "wales dominated in at the breakdown, completely out classed the SA backrow" seems a bit of a stretch. The stats give a snapshot of an element of the breakdown:

SA - 90% of rucks won and 8 turnovers conceded
Wales - 94% of rucks won and 14 turnovers conceded

ok i exaggerated a bit, but i thought as a unit the welsh backrow were everywhere, lydiate stepped up his game and carried well as did toby and warburton yet agian did well.

brussows did do well at the breakdown getting a few turnovers but i mean the only time i noticed burger was when he was trying to either punch, gouge or do some sort of dirty play in a ruck. and spies i hardly noticed

by nottins_jones Wed 14 Sep 2011, 11:19 pm

AlynDavies wrote:Historically Wales and Samoa have played 7 times, Wales winning 4, Samoa 3.

Wales last played Samoa in 2009 and pretty much the entire Samoan team is still in the squad today, 7-8 of them were in the team that beat Australia. At the time Wales were in the dumps and struggling to beat anyone. Wales won 17-13, and had about 70% possession, they didn't turn it into points which is the only reason the scoreline was so close. A game was only made of it in the last 18 minutes, when with Wales lining up to score a try. Dan Biggar with a 4 man over lap threw a reckless pass and a Samoan center went in for a length of the field interception try.

I'd say the game is Wales to lose, though they are prone to losing games they should win. If Wales play smart, play in the right areas, and kick for the corners then pressurise the line out, Wales will win easily. If Wales play stupid, look for contact, and lose the ball in contact, Samoa will win.

Wales have a stronger line out, far better scrum, tighter defence, are fitter, and have had 7 days rest, compared to 3 for Samoa.

Fly-half Tusi Pisi went off early with a hamstring injury, and flanker Taiasina Tuifua with a rib injury. Pisi would be a huge loss if he misses the Wales game.

Good response, spot on which is typical of you. Now interested to hear Grey Ghost's reply. What does he think Samoa must do to beat Wales?

by welshy824 Wed 14 Sep 2011, 11:47 pm

yes all valid point alyn, never thought i would hear that the welsh set piece is better than someone else's, saying that the lineout was pretty impressive agaisnt SA

by nottins_jones Wed 14 Sep 2011, 11:51 pm

That's true, only lost one didn't we! laughing

They should be steam-rolled in the scrums with or without Johnstone. I just hope the ref has the bottle to punish them, we see it go un-punished way too often in Rugby. They'll just collapse it over and over like the Italians and Argentinians do.

by emack2 Thu 15 Sep 2011, 1:00 am

Whether or not Wales swamped SA at the breakdown is a moot point.
They made no use of that ball,being content to bash it up the middle and try and grind out a win.
The Boks were not there usual composed selfs,BUT made big clearing kicks to touch.Kicked there goals,ran twice and finished,Wales for all there efforts.Did`nt create many scoring chances,Shane Williams and George North are great wings.But not much use at the bottom of a ruck,and delivery from the base was dreadfully slow.
Samoa as you are well aware are no ones mugs,any chance of Hook at 10 and Scrum half with a quick delivery at 9.
Don`t take anything for granted in any area,especially with the prevailing weather conditions.

by emack2 Thu 15 Sep 2011, 1:14 am

Nottins jones,Scrums are a problem ,because despite the edicts the Refs can`t pick half whats going on.The dark arts of the front row Mafia,are practiced by ALL sides.Twisting and lowering,Boring in,Dropping a shoulder,
slipping the bind,binding on the arm,pulling down,squint feeds.
They can happen at any scrum,most refs guess,watch George Clancy for example.Complete guesswork,unless you have a ref BOTH sides of the scrum you won`t pick it.
There was a time,Props got up to all sorts off dirty tricks at scrum time,BUT
collapsing was beyond the pale.Danger of spinal injuries,most common trick.Tighthead pulls down on .Opposing looseheads arm,unbalancing him ,opposite number puts hand on ground to rebalance himself.PENALTY[off course it maybe the loose head instead]

by **Biltong** Thu 15 Sep 2011, 6:38 am

welshy824 wrote:
hawalsh wrote:To say "wales dominated in at the breakdown, completely out classed the SA backrow" seems a bit of a stretch. The stats give a snapshot of an element of the breakdown:

SA - 90% of rucks won and 8 turnovers conceded
Wales - 94% of rucks won and 14 turnovers conceded

ok i exaggerated a bit, but i thought as a unit the welsh backrow were everywhere, lydiate stepped up his game and carried well as did toby and warburton yet agian did well.

brussows did do well at the breakdown getting a few turnovers but i mean the only time i noticed burger was when he was trying to either punch, gouge or do some sort of dirty play in a ruck. and spies i hardly noticed

You need help, Welshy, you really do.

Over 100 million people watched that game on tv, and you are the only one seeing things. I know a good therapist if you need one.

by mckay1402 Thu 15 Sep 2011, 7:18 am

Wales should be favourites. It's easy to look organised against a defence that doesn't put you under a lot of pressure. Samoa will obviously be threatening but our defence will be strong enough to keep them out.

by tomathy Thu 15 Sep 2011, 7:20 am

welshy824 wrote:brussows did do well at the breakdown getting a few turnovers but i mean the only time i noticed burger was when he was trying to either punch, gouge or do some sort of dirty play in a ruck. and spies i hardly noticed

You'd better back that up or delete it

by HammerofThunor Thu 15 Sep 2011, 7:21 am

Wales are favourites,should be good (must say I think Ireland v Australia is the big game of the weekend). If Samoa have close to the perfect game they can win. If they don't it shouldn't be a problem for Wales (by that I mean a 2 score win at least)

by Gatts Thu 15 Sep 2011, 7:37 am

Burger was actually quite anonymous I thought. Think he got on the wrong side fo a few rucks but nothing of note and certainly no evidence of gouging. Poor show Welshy

by **Biltong** Thu 15 Sep 2011, 7:42 am

Gatts wrote:Burger was actually quite anonymous I thought. Think he got on the wrong side fo a few rucks but nothing of note and certainly no evidence of gouging. Poor show Welshy

Don't worry Gatts, it seems therapy doesn't work for everyone. Headscratch

by LordDowlais Thu 15 Sep 2011, 8:00 am

I tell you what, Wales just should not bother turning up, Samoa will just be too strong for us and beat us into the ground

. If Samoa were playing South Africa this week, would everybody be saying the same about them ? becuase as far as I am concerned there is not much difference between the two sides at the moment. Why are people saying that Wales will lose ? I have not got a problem if people come on here and say they will bw suuporting Samoa and "hope" Wales loose, as each person has their own right to supports whoever they like, but if you are going to say we will loose, give a reason why !!!

by Gatts Thu 15 Sep 2011, 8:01 am

LordDowlais wrote:I tell you what, Wales just should not bother turning up, Samoa will just be too strong for us and beat us into the ground . If Samoa were playing South Africa this week, would everybody be saying the same about them ? becuase as far as I am concerned there is not much difference between the two sides at the moment. Why are people saying that Wales will lose ? I have not got a problem if people come on here and say they will bw suuporting Samoa and "hope" Wales loose, as each person has their own right to supports whoever they like, but if you are going to say we will loose, give a reason why !!!

OMG we've got a right one here

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Thu 15 Sep 2011, 8:31 am

LordDowlais wrote:I tell you what, Wales just should not bother turning up, Samoa will just be too strong for us and beat us into the ground . If Samoa were playing South Africa this week, would everybody be saying the same about them ? becuase as far as I am concerned there is not much difference between the two sides at the moment. Why are people saying that Wales will lose ? I have not got a problem if people come on here and say they will bw suuporting Samoa and "hope" Wales loose, as each person has their own right to supports whoever they like, but if you are going to say we will loose, give a reason why !!!

Who has said that Samoa are too strong and will beat Wales into the ground?
A bit of rampant paranoia and victim complex there!
I do find it a bit odd that you think off the back of one game (that Wales lost) playing their best rugby in years that they are suddenly pretty even with SA dont kid yourself. They have proven they can compete with them ( on their day) but SA are clearly a far batter side (on their day).
That aside Wales are still favourites for the Samoa game, and byond GG ( who has given his reasons) and Hersh (who was making a joke, and still compliemneted Wales) I cant see anyone saying they expect or hope Wales lose.

Having said that I expect an hope that Wales lose for no reason

by **Biltong** Thu 15 Sep 2011, 8:40 am

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:I tell you what, Wales just should not bother turning up, Samoa will just be too strong for us and beat us into the ground . If Samoa were playing South Africa this week, would everybody be saying the same about them ? becuase as far as I am concerned there is not much difference between the two sides at the moment. Why are people saying that Wales will lose ? I have not got a problem if people come on here and say they will bw suuporting Samoa and "hope" Wales loose, as each person has their own right to supports whoever they like, but if you are going to say we will loose, give a reason why !!!

Who has said that Samoa are too strong and will beat Wales into the ground?
A bit of rampant paranoia and victim complex there!
I do find it a bit odd that you think off the back of one game (that Wales lost) playing their best rugby in years that they are suddenly pretty even with SA dont kid yourself. They have proven they can compete with them ( on their day) but SA are clearly a far batter side (on their day).
That aside Wales are still favourites for the Samoa game, and byond GG ( who has given his reasons) and Hersh (who was making a joke, and still compliemneted Wales) I cant see anyone saying they expect or hope Wales lose.

Having said that I expect an hope that Wales lose for no reason

Man that is a lot of typing to do, just to get that out there. Shocked

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